I was only able to shop in store for 2 hours at the beginning of presale. I ordered a bunch of things online but am returning most of it after trying it on at home. Here is what I've kept. Some wild card UWP like pieces including the Zella jacket, Vince mesh tank, Karen Kane cardigan with leather sleeves, the silver puffer, and punk zipper jeans. The Paige Edgemont jeans were not on sale, but they fit the best of the many different pairs of jeans I tried (thanks for the recommendation UmmLila). My belly bulge limited a lot of items including the R&B gilet and Halogen sleeveless tunic and wrap dresses, which I guess is a good thing because I had to really edit. I ended up with four pairs of higher waist jeans (one distressed, one non-distressed, one burgundy (thanks for the rec Angie!) and one white--guess I'm into skinnies lately!) to accommodate my food baby, two graphic tees, two tank tops which skim over the belly, two cardigans, and two puffy jackets (one short, one long). It all looks like a black and white capsule, doesn't it? Let me know what you think of these pieces on me! Thanks!

I know it's totally ridiculous that I already have two puffers (white and brown) and yet want another one even though it doesn't even snow here. (Calling Rachylou for support on this!) But this is filling my UWP gunmetal parka wardrobe hole (yes I am creating a hole to justify this). I like the fitted silhouette and the contrasting patterns on the side panels. It is quite light and not bulky at all, yet visually it feels like I'm wearing a coat of armor. I love it! What do you think? Is it a keeper? 5-7 is not styled at all, just threw it on before I changed out of my outfit. But I wanted to show a pic of it open, which is how I would normally wear it.

Laundry by Shelli Segal parka in charcoal (they also have a fab electric blue version). $99! Sizing info--I normally run between a size S and M on top (size 6-8) and sized up to a M on this which was perfect.

I'm always up for a good challenge, so since Angie has encouraged us to wear our wonderful wardrobe items, I picked something something really difficult, totally impractical but totally fabulous that I never seem to find the occasion to wear...a white tulle ballerina skirt! I bought this on impulse last year but was going to return it because I didn't think I would really ever wear it. But once DD saw this skirt she loved it and wouldn't let me return it! When she was four, she said that she wanted to be a doctor and a mommy and a princess and a ballerina when she grows up. (Now at age 8 she wants to be an inventor, a detective and a ninja). So I'm helping to role model for her that you can be all those things! I have to admit this outfit is way outside my comfort zone and I kept thinking I was going to chicken out and change into something more practical. But at the last minute I decided to put into practice my motto of "Always Be Fabulous", said WTH and went for it!

I initially wore the denim jacket to try to dress it down. I went to drop off DS1 at a new camp and got the camp tour. It was hot and I didn't really need the denim jacket for work, so I left the denim jacket off and went full on ballerina girl. Shadow persona is nowhere to be found today! I'm doing the super sweet girly girl today with the cotton candy pink cashmere sweater, white tulle ballerina skirt, pink flats, pink bird feather necklace (with pink leather and white tulle feathers) and kissing bird bracelet. Totally ridiculous to be swanning around the hospital in a tulle skirt seeing patients and doing procedures (it's OK, I cover up with mask, gown and shoe covers so I'm fully protected) but everyone loved it and several people called me a princess ballerina. All I needed to complete my look was my tiara, but that's on loan to the national museum so I had to do without.

Bonus throwback pics of the 4 year old princess ballerina, because she is just too stinkin' cute. Miss those days!

1-4 is what I wore to shop at NAS--Tokidoki casual. DH hates these Rag & Bone pajama jeans. He calls them my "I've given up" jeans. I agree they are kind of sloppy but I've gained some weight and my regular jeans are getting pretty snug and uncomfortably digging into my sides and giving me muffin top. So I decided I would try to find a new pair of jeans at NAS. My current jeans that still fit are 15-16. Vigoss ripped jeans size 28 (my favorite but they're getting kinda snug), 17-18. Kut from the Kloth Catherine boyfriend jeans size 28 (below the knee length), 19-20. J brand size 30 (too long so I rolled the hem), and 21-22. Banana Republic cropped flare size 29 (I don't know why but these always seem kind of weird/frumpy on me).

I tried on three pairs of jeans in store--5-9. Rag and Bone Dre size 29. DH hated the turned up hem and yellow stitching and said it's too baggy on me (I agree the rear view is rather unflattering), 10-14. AG jeans size 30. OK but kind of boring? I kind of like a darker wash. And 15-16. J Brand size 29. DH does not like these ones because they "don't look like real pants". He doesn't like jeggings I guess! He also doesn't like ripped knees or baggy jeans. He's super traditional. What kind of jeans are "in" nowadays?

Anyways, I have a few more on order to compare, but what do you think of the first three so far? I'm not entirely sure any of them are the right one. I've got another two Kut from the Kloth ones and another Rag and Bone on order as well. I just think the ones I currently have look better but I wish they weren't quite so snug on me! Gotta get cracking with the exercise and diet again!

Thanks for your help! By the way, I got the Halogen cardigan below and a swimsuit and some underwear as well when I went in store. I have a lot more on order, but surprisingly everything is very drab and grey/black/navy (see my NAS finds collection). Where did all the color go?

Cavity-inducing disclaimer: I don't mean to give you whiplash or make your teeth ache from all the sugar, but going from morbid queen of darkness holding a skull knuckle clutch one day to pastel princess holding an ice cream truck clutch the next does require a "keep your arms and legs inside the ride at all times" warning!

Also I don't think my coloring really lends itself to dressing in pastels, but I like to break the rules once in a while. What do you think, can I get away with the occasional mint or blush? I've been wearing these blush pink shoes a lot actually.

Bonus kid pics with DS2 holding my ice cream truck clutch and DD enjoying some mint chip ice cream at the county fair over the holiday weekend. Throwing in some more fun fair pics. The kids loved it especially the carousel, roller coaster, corn dogs and fireworks! Happy summer!

More bloody fun with Hamlet and my Obsession scarf, this time with bright red! Got lots of compliments on the dress. I was going to wear my studded black heels, but went with my studded black flats instead--much more comfy for a day spent standing for procedures. I was a little overdressed to pick up the kids at swimming, but what can you do. (I didn't think to bring clothes to change into). Always be fabulous. And when in doubt, wear red!

Wanna know what mischief I've been up to? Here is my birthday present (DH told me I could get a fancy purse). It involves a bit of "skull"-duggery...(and I hinted that it could double as a weapon, LOL).

First we have to set the soundtrack for this post: Obsession by Animotion:

Side note: could this woman be any more eighties? Neon blue peplum dress with matching blue fan, permed hair in a side pony with scrunchie, blue eyeliner, lace gloves, and those shutter shade glasses! Totally awesome to the max!

I'm in this Facebook doctor fashion group and a couple months ago someone posted that they bought this Alexander McQueen knuckle box clutch with skulls on it. I was instantly obsessed and I've been thinking about it ever since. Just gorgeous. I started looking into the brand more and it really appeals to my shadow persona--I love goth, punk, skulls, black and gunmetal, Victoriana, insects, pretty with an edge. Why have I not gotten into this line before?!

My shopping outfit was in 1-2. Stopped by Chanel to get a bottle of nail polish (Ballerina), because my manicure that DH got me for my birthday is already chipped (with a full time job and three kids, there is no way that was going to last long). It is funny how wearing a Chanel bag gets you lots of attention from the SAs. I even saw the SA who sold me the bag and she said, "I didn't recognize you at first but then I saw your bag and remembered who you were." Hahaha.

Then I went to the Alexander McQueen store. I went specifically to see this knuckle clutch. But then I realized my phone (iPhone 6 Plus) is too big to fit! Darn it! So I looked at some alternatives (6-7) which could fit my phone, but I just didn't love them as much. They were cheaper and larger but I wasn't feeling it. The wallet on chain in 6 had really sharp studs so it wasn't nice to hold. And I already have a large black studded satchel (though not with a skull padlock like that one) and I liked the Obsession print bag but not the giant logo on the front. In the end though I decided to go with the one that really spoke to me, practicality be damned. It's pretty much a fancy lipstick case (fits a mini card case, key and lipstick), but I don't care. It'll be a great evening bag, or I can just toss it in my other bag and take it out to pet during the day, LOL. It's so fun to put my fingers through the rings and run my fingers over the smooth little nubs--it's like sensory stress relief therapy! I'm going to call him Hamlet (I like that better than Yorick). And you can call me Queen Impractical Clutch. Hamlet can join my polar bear on ice, ice cream truck, camera, and hedgehog. I swore I wouldn't buy any more clutches, yet here we are. Someone stage an intervention if I ever want another whimsical clutch!

I loved the Obsession print as well. Hummingbirds, butterflies, flowers, skulls, jewels, lipstick--it's got everything a girl could want! I looked at the shirt or dress but they were super expensive. The scarf was much more affordable, and I never have to worry about my body changing--it will always fit!

So here's the purse and scarf with my leather moto, ripped jeans and tee (8-9) and with a skirt outfit that I wore to work (13-20). I wondered briefly if it was appropriate for a doctor to wear skulls to work, but I figured if it's appropriate enough for Princess Kate to wear to Wimbledon (21), it's good enough for me!

Thank you all so much for your lovely YLF birthday wishes! You made me feel so happy and really made my day special.

I had a fun day, full of cake (for breakfast, lunch and dinner!), and was spoiled rotten by DH and the family. It started with apple crumb cake & blueberries with a homemade smoothie for breakfast. Then we went to a birthday party for one of DS1's friends (I joked that I got a free birthday party!). The kids had fun swimming.

Then afterward DH surprised me with a mani-pedi that he had arranged in advance. He pretended like he wanted me to hop down and get something at the grocery for him, but when we got there he said I had an appointment for a deluxe mani-pedi and he would be back in an hour and a half to get me. So he watched the kids and I got to sip champagne and get my arms and legs massaged and nails painted. DH definitely got the raw end of the deal on that one, as DS2 cried and cried the whole time for me. He threw a huge tantrum because he wanted me, and kept kicking DH and throwing things at him and then stripped off all his clothes (he does that when he's mad). He only put them back on when DH said, "It's time to go pick up Mommy", and then promptly fell asleep in the car.

Then we came home and DH made a wonderful birthday dinner for me, with flank steak with chimichurri sauce, caramelized onions and tomatoes, lemon-mint orzo and crisp green beans. He baked a cake which the kids decorated for me and got me a beautiful purple flower bouquet. I have a memory book that I have the kids write in instead of giving me cards for Mother's Day and my birthday. All 3 kids drew pictures, including DS2 who drew "Mama in a boat with a pink fish in the water" and "Mama holding a balloon and a pear."

I got myself some small gifts--a couple of jewelry organizers (see the bracelet rack). DH promised me I could get something nice. I had been interested in a Goyard bag, but when I went to the SF store a few days ago I tried on the totes and the strap drop was too small on the small bag. I'm interested in a different bag with a zipper but they only sell it in NY and Beverly Hills so I'm planning to wait on that one. I would want to try it on in person since the handles may be too snug. So instead I am interested in a different gift...I am going to take a look at it in the next couple of days when I can get downtown. I'll give you a hint--it's for my shadow style, and could potentially be used as a weapon. ;)

Oh, I wore my favorite H&M floral pants (DH called them clown pants when he first saw them so I think of them as my clown pants), and what better bag to celebrate my birthday with than the orange slice bag--always brings a smile to my face! And cake for every meal too!

Love Angie's ensemble of combining dressy skirts with denim. I certainly have plenty of dressy skirts to choose from! I already did blue denim shirt with a dressy skirt (6/7) so this time I'm trying white denim instead. Last time I wore this floral set with a pink cardigan (5), but I think this gives a nice slightly more casual twist. And I'm getting a lot of use out of these blush pink flats!

I was inspired by Shevia's post about Parisienne style to try a Parisienne-inspired outfit myself. I started with a black cashmere sweater and added plain white jeans and metallic sandals. Of course a French scarf (my only chance to add some color!), and a bronze bag (also French!) to mix black and tan. Had to ditch the Apple watch for something more old school/less trendy, and paired it with an elegant bracelet. But I still indulged my matchy-matchy sense with turquoise toenails to match my scarf. And wore big French sunnies to maintain that "I'm a French movie star" air. Et voila! How did I do?

I got lots of compliments on my outfit today, especially on the scarf. A lot of people said I looked so chic, The funny thing is, I'm not sure it felt 100% my style. I kept thinking, this is fun, but I wouldn't want to dress this way all the time. I love my bright colors, lots of prints, matchy matchy and whimsy, so doing neutrals and uniform dressing and minimalist understated chic might get boring rather quickly for me. I'm glad we live where we do and can feel free to embrace a wide variety of styles! I like to play dress up and be Parisienne one day, colorful and feminine Kate Spade-like the next, and then tough and edgy UWP. I can admire French style and try it out, but not feel like I need to aspire to or emulate it all the time. Vive le difference!